Heartbroken parents of surfers killed in Mexico remember kids who loved thrills

(CNN) — The grieving parents of two Australian brothers who died during a surfing trip with their American friend in Mexico have said their deaths have made the world a “dark place” days after their sons’ bodies were identified.

Brothers, Jake and Callum Robinson, and their American friend Jack Carter Road were surfing and camping near the city of Ensenada, about 60 miles south of the border city of Tijuana, when they disappeared on April 29.

Earlier this week, three bodies were found lying in a well with bullet wounds on their heads. This Sunday, Mexican authorities confirmed their identities as those of the three missing friends with the help of family members who flew in to help investigators.

“Our hearts are broken and the world has become a dark place for us,” said Debra Robinson, speaking from San Diego, according to Seven Network Australia.

“We are also saddened by the passing of our close friend Carter Rode. “They were young men who enjoyed their passion of surfing together,” he said.

She thanked friends, family and supporters who reached out and said, “We know you were truly loved and that you touched so many lives.”

Standing with her husband Martin on the beach, with the sound of Pacific waves in the background, the Perth couple paid tribute to brothers: Callum, 33, who lived in San Diego and played for the national team Australian lacrosse; and Jake, a 30-year-old doctor who arrived from Australia two weeks ago to join his brother on a visit, his parents previously told CNN affiliate Seven News.

“Callum was a lovely and extraordinary character and he considered America his second home. Known as the Big Koala, he played professional lacrosse in the PLL and represented Australia at the World Championships and always found time to coach youth teams,” Debra said.

“His brother Jake was a happy, gentle and kind man who was pursuing a career in medicine. “Jake’s passion was surfing and it was no coincidence that many of the hospitals where he worked were close to surfing beaches,” he said, listing Jake’s other hobbies and passions, which included running, swimming, cricket. Including playing and listening to live music.

“Now it’s time to take them home, to family and friends, and to the ocean waves in Australia,” he said, crying. “Please live bigger, shine brighter and love more in her memory.”

Jake and Callum’s father Martin also made a point of thanking the Australian agencies that assisted in the search for his children, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Embassy in Mexico. He also thanked Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, saying she had called on Monday to express her support.

Mexican authorities promised to investigate the killings, saying the surfers may have been attacked in an attempted carjacking. Baja California has been plagued by cartel violence in recent years, although this is much less common in tourist areas like Ensenada.

Dozens of people protested in Ensenada last week calling on authorities to do more to address the violence faced by tourists and locals. Many people carried slogans paying tribute to the three tourists who died on their surfboards.

Drug cartels have terrorized Mexico with rising levels of violence, fueled in part by huge demand for drugs from American consumers and arms embargoes from north of the border.

While some parts of Mexico are established tourist destinations, violent crimes, including kidnappings and human trafficking, plague parts of the country, especially border areas. Mexico has the highest murder rate in the world and more than 100,000 people are missing in the country. Studies show that only 7% of murders in Mexico are solved.

Three Mexican nationals previously questioned in connection with the disappearance of three slain surfers have been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, the attorney general’s office said. One of the suspects was identified as Jesús Gerardo “N”, alias “El Cacas”.